Interaction Between Head Movement Behavior and Simulated Spatial Filtering: Comparing Free Conversation and Speech...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Virtual Reality
• Acoustics

Background:

• Hearing device benefits differ between lab and real-world settings.
• Low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in speech tests and head movement variations impact lab evaluations.
• Traditional hearing aid research may lack ecological validity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure SNR improvement from a spatial filter during free conversation in VR.
• To compare VR free conversation SNR improvement with a VR speech test.
• To assess the ecological validity of VR for hearing aid research.

Main Methods:

• 11 normal-hearing participants experienced two VR conditions: free conversation and a two-talker speech test.
• A spatial filter's benefit was simulated using dynamic head orientation.
• Acoustic simulations rendered speech, noise, and room acoustics.

Main Results:

• Spatial filter benefit was higher in free conversation than in the speech test.
• Participants exhibited more head movement towards active speakers during free conversation.
• VR free conversation SNRs more closely resembled real-world conversational environments.

Conclusions:

• VR free conversation offers a more ecologically valid method for evaluating hearing device effectiveness.
• This VR approach can yield more realistic SNR measurements.
• Findings suggest improved hearing aid research outcomes through VR-based conversational testing.